A new face at the old jail

There’s more than a new visitors center and museum at the old Burnet County Jail. Blair Manning was recently hired as the county Tourism and Marketing director and will office at the recently renovated building, 109. S. Pierce St. in Burnet. She was formerly the assistant chief deputy for the Burnet County Treasurer’s Office. 

The building, which was completed in 1884, has been remodeled and filled with period pieces from its hey-day as a jail and home to the Burnet County sheriff and his family. Manning will occupy an old-fashioned roll-top desk stationed at one of the two entrances. 

Manning’s responsibilities will be focused on attracting tourists to the county and putting “heads in beds” of its hotels and other lodgers. 

“I also look forward to bringing in tourism journalists and growing social media avenues of outreach,” Manning said.

Originally from Burnet, Manning grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved back to the area with her family when she was a senior in high school. After graduation, Manning attended Texas State University in San Marcos, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in communications. She returned to Burnet County to work at Camp Longhorn in marketing and recruiting and hiring counselors for the summer camps. 

“I love the Hill Country,” Manning said, “and I can’t wait to be able to dive in and get people out here to visit.”